Halesowen-based Sandvik Coromant, a cutting tool and tooling system specialist, has expanded its CoroMill Plura solid end mill family with the new CoroMill Plura ball nose, a new concept which is optimised for semi-finishing to finishing profiling operations in ISO S applications.

Liam Haglington, product manager for solid carbide end milling tools at Sandvik Coromant, said: “The CoroMill Plura ball nose for ISO S is a new addition to our optimised assortment. This release introduces two new product geometries, optimised for titanium and HRSA workpiece materials, respectively. The products have been developed for profiling — specifically semi-finishing and finishing applications — in operations such as blisk and blade machining.”

Since productivity, extended tool life and process security are critical requirements when dealing with market needs in ISO S materials, the CoroMill Plura ball nose geometries have been developed with those qualities in mind.

Mr Haglington added: “Specific care has been put into the tool design. The tools feature a newly developed face geometry to avoid unfavorable cutting conditions in the centre, uneven tooth pitch for best dynamic stability and vibration control, as well as new Zertivo 2.0 grades — developed specifically for the workpiece application areas — for improved wear resistance and tool life.”

Featuring up to six flutes, the CoroMill Plura ball nose allows for higher feed rates without compromising the surface quality, meaning reduced machining times and a lower cost per part. While primarily designed for aerospace engine blisk machining, the tools are versatile enough to excel in many other application areas.

Dr. Markus Groppe, Sandvik Coromant’s global product and digital application manager for solid carbide end milling tools, said: “These tools are optimised for profiling applications in HRSA and titanium alloys, giving their best performance when machining blades and forged structural components.

He added: “However, they are also a solid choice for application areas outside of the aerospace segment, such as the medical and automotive sectors. Operations like hip joint and turbocharger machining are prime examples where CoroMill Plura ball nose truly excels. Additionally, with secondary application areas of hardened steel for the HRSA assortment and stainless steel for the titanium assortment, the six flute tools ensure the highest productivity and tool life for all types of die and mould applications.”

The standard assortment includes dedicated grades for titanium and HRSA, diameters ranging from 3–20 mm and 0.125–0.750 inch, four to six flutes, 1.5×D depth of cut, and usable lengths of 3×D and 5×D.

Sathish D, Sandvik Coromant’s global product manager for customised solid carbide end milling tools, concluded: “Should the standard assortment not align with specific customer needs, Sandvik Coromant offers a wide selection of customised solutions to address unique requirements. In addition to the standard assortment, we are also introducing an elaborate customized solutions offer with a wide range of functionalities that cater to diverse customer demands. Should the user still find that something is missing, our advanced engineered offer has got it covered.”